New proposal for a retractable roof over a courtyard in Tabriz Islamic Art University

Abstract This paper by reviewing the main examples of small to medium-scale retractable roof structures covering building courtyards is to present an innovative rigid retractable roof system employing spatial frames for a courtyard of an existing building in Tabriz Islamic Art University. The courtyard is currently used for temporary exhibitions and gatherings whenever permitted by environmental conditions. The proposed retractable roof will extend the application of the building throughout whole year period and also adds to its beauty and functionality. One of the main advantages of this design that makes it as a good alternative for this building is the way that the roof is retracted in different segments separately in a regulated deployment process and its potential in being used in different stages of the deployment process. The proposed roof consists of four retractable zones all covered with transparent rigid material and a fixed central part being inspired by the patterns of Iranian historic architecture. The retractable parts are placed at four corners and composed of rigid panels sliding across each other. An actuating force is applied to the first panel of each module and consequently makes the other panels move throughout the associated fixed track.